Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 1294 - 1318 of 2505
Dear Editor, The Board of Directors of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the hospital bond because it is imperative to sustaining the community's quality of life and its economic viability. For the Chamber Board, economic growth is not our only concern. The wellbeing and sustainability of the community is also paramount, and this bond addresses just that. Having sufficient health care services is vital to the community and this bond is a creative and long-term solution to addressing the problems that threaten its very existence....
Dear Editor, We are writing to urge your support of the upcoming levy for the important work of the Columbia County Public Hospital District. When one of your residents is in need of emergency or specialty care, they frequently end up in one of our hospitals. It is the initial response and coordinated treatment they receive in Dayton that is crucial to their recovery. Providence St. Mary and Kadlec have worked very closely with the health professionals in your community to make sure your residents receive the best care possible. Supporting...
Dear Editor, We are voting YES for the hospital levy! We are paying the levy tax by not buying a cup of restaurant coffee a week for 52 weeks, assuming the tax would be $100. Other ways are to determine how many lattes, mochas etc. we need to deny ourselves to pay the extra tax. Which would you rather have: a hospital where you can get emergency, stabilizing help in an emergency or a cup of restaurant coffee a week for a year? Your choice! As for us, we are denying a cup of restaurant coffee a week for a year. Jan and Owen Agenbroad...
Dear Editor, As a local gunsmith and federally licensed firearms dealer, I have some knowledge of the procedures involved in transferring firearms, and I urge you to vote no on Initiative 594. The advertisements in favor of the initiative disingenuously state that there are no background checks on sales or transfers of firearms related to gun shows or internet purchases. This is absolutely false. Every gun bought over the internet will first go to a dealer like me, who then runs a background check before the firearm is transferred to the...
Dear Editor, Waitsburg is a unique "one-of-akind" community. The Commercial Club, Waitsburg's Chamber of Commerce, has represented the business community of Waitsburg for over 100 years. A big part of the Commercial Club mission is to remind community members of the importance of supporting local businesses to maintain our economic diversity. Waitsburg has many valuable components that help to make our community self sustaining and attractive to businesses and people relocating, and to visitors to our city. We are able to offer groceries seven...
Dear Editor, In response to Todd B. Sedam's comments that appeared in the October 23 issue of The Times regarding the cancellation of the Sheriff's Candidate Forum at the Waitsburg Lion's Club, he needs to know the facts before making false statements. I was deeply involved in making the decision NOT to invite the Sheriff candidates BECAUSE the Lion's Club is a civic organization. As a member of this outstanding Lion's Club for over 50 years and serving as a past president, our bylaws forbid us from being involved with politics. We are...
I n honor of the upcoming holiday, I present a list of the twenty spookiest things about senior year. 20: Class papers, which used to be cute little five-paragraph essays, have morphed into six-page behemoths that would just love to messily devour your free time. (Eeeek!) 19: Just when you thought the SAT was out of your life for good, there's suddenly an "SAT Practice" problem at the end of every lesson in your math book. (Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!) 18: Student loans are lurking just over the horizon....
This fall, the Columbia County Health System will celebrate its 50th birthday. Legally known as "Columbia County Hospital District #2," its humble beginnings were driven by residents who understood the value of health care and were determined to improve their rural communities, including Starbuck. Columbia County has a strong history supporting health care. Dayton Hospital began in 1909. The hospital was at the home adjacent to the Baptist Church, known today as Community Bible Church, across the street from the Post Office on Second Street. In...
Dear Editor, While working a jury trial in Dayton, I had the privilege of working with Rea Culwell who was the Prosecuting Attorney for the case. She was prepared at all times and for all eventualities. She was knowledgeable of Washington state law and court rules. She treated all members of the court with respect. Rea is very educated and I believe she will continue to serve the people of Columbia County with passion and proficiency. I strongly urge a vote to re-elect Rea Culwell Prosecuting Attorney. Penny Blackburn Walla...
Dear Editor, My name is Richard Schram, and I have been a full time employee of the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office since 2003. I began my career as a Corrections Officer in the jail and, in 2004, was promoted to patrol. I have lived in the Prescott, Walla Walla and Burbank communities as a resident deputy. For years, Sheriff Humphreys ran unopposed and everything was simply status quo within the department, even though the times and neighboring law enforcement agencies around us evolved. Sheriff Turner saw the desperate need to bring us...
Dear Editor, This is what is happening in our 5th Congressional District: One in five citizens rely on food stamps; unemployment is 30% higher than the national average; one in six people live below the Federal Poverty Level. These statistics will only worsen if we see Social Security and Medicare whittled at. If Cathy McMorris Rodgers would spend more time with her constituents instead of traveling around the country raising money for other Republicans, she might be more aware of the needs of her district and the above appalling statistics....
Dear Editor, I am writing this letter in support of Merle Jackson for the position of County Commissioner of Columbia County. I feel that Merle has the most experience in financial matters, how the county runs, and the pulse of the community. It is important to have experience in these three areas. Our county budget is around $18,000,000. The Commissioners determine how this money is allocated. Merles background in managing the family farm and in managing large projects for the nuclear energy industry will make the financial learning curve for...
Dear Editor, Rea Culwell is our prosecutor for the future. She has the talent, energy and experience to serve the county well. She wants the job and takes this campaign serious. In June, she filed for the position and paid her filing fee (unlike her opponent). She has been doorbelling in the evenings, putting ads in the local newspapers and working double time to get re-elected. She and her family are an asset to Columbia County and are here to stay. Rea has invested her hard work and is dedicated to making Columbia County not only her home,...
Dear Editor, There have been several letters to the editor recently challenging the character and integrity of Randy O. Lewis. Randy is running for the office of Prosecuting Attorney in Columbia County. I know Randy and his wife Debbie personally and I find both of them to be well respected professionals and members of our Community. Randy promises fair administration of Justice, intensive screening of all cases and most importantly keeping the best interests of the people in Columbia County first. The current prosecutor lacks integrity and pro...
Dear Editor, I'm 91 years old and was married to, and got along very well with a three term Walla Walla County Commissioner. Harmon Johnson. A dedicated Republican and fiscal conservative, Harmon understood people and politics. He never stooped to the style of campaigning we see today. Harmon was an honorable man who respected education, hard work and anyone that would look him straight in the eye. He got along with people. I have no doubt, that if Harmon were alive today he would be campaigning tirelessly for Sheriff Turner. Harmon always...
Dear Editor, The truth needs to be known. Every one of the following people currently works in Walla Walla City and County law enforcement and publicly supports Sheriff John Turner for re-election. Chief Deputy John King, Chief Deputy Keilen Harmon, Chief Deputy Shanda Zessin, Deputy Robin Frisvold, Deputy Dale Preas, Deputy Richard Schram, Deputy Luke Watson, Deputy Gerrod Martin, Deputy Ryan Allen, Deputy Christopher Johnson, Deputy Brian Bush, Deputy Ian Edwards, Deputy Travis Goodwin, Reserve Deputy Ted Sams, Sergeant Jason Langley,...
Dear Editor, I have a unique perspective on our Sheriff's Office; I've worked there since March 2011. Prior to working there, I was very active in the Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue for many years. From first-hand experience, I felt change was needed. Three years later and I have not been disappointed. I have found our Sheriff to be a very engaged leader who diligently puts in the long hours that positive change takes. He has the ability to make difficult decisions which he knows won't please everyone. I'm thankful that high ethical...
Dear Editor, I'm happy to hear my ballot will soon arrive. It has been interesting watching how all of the candidates have handled their campaigns. It's great insight. One very important race has shown two different types of campaigning. Incumbant, Rea Culwell has been making a strong argument for her case to be re-elected Columbia County Prosecutor. She uses facts, figures, public records and a stellar list of endorsements to bolster her bid. She has informed the public about her and her oppponent's records, in public, through mailings, ads,...
I t's 9:06 PM. Do you know where your literary inspiration is? Yeah. Me neither. So here's some lousy poetry. I stare and I ponder the clock Which smugly continues to mock My pent-up frustration And sheer indignation At having obtained writer's block. I'm shoddy at limericks, it's true But reader, you'll have to make do With such clunkified verse On a columnist's curse. (Unless you'd prefer a haiku?) All right, then. Here goes: First Knowledge Bowl meet Tomorrow morning. I should Prob'ly go to bed. ZZZZZ ZZZZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZ - oops, sorry. Where...
I had an insight recently - which I consider brilliant - and that is that the fewer people who vote, the more influence my vote will have. So I've decided not to encourage other people to vote this year. In fact, I'd rather you didn't. (And ignore what's on the front page. I wrote that earlier.) When I lived in King County many years ago, my vote for county commissioner was one of more than a million votes cast. I voted, but I never felt like it mattered. Now that I live in Columbia County, my...
Dear Editor, We can do better in the 5th Congressional District by electing Joe Pakootas and retiring the incumbent, Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Joe Pakootas' record is proof that he gets things done and has wide experience and certifiable successes. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has been a career politician. Joe Pakootas has 16 years experience in leadership in the Colville Tribe. As CEO of the Tribe's corporation he led a 10 million dollar turnaround in the Tribes' finances. He and his wife have owned a small business since 1985. Joe and another tribal...
Dear Editor, On May 9, 2012, a daytime burglary occurred at our home. Walla Walla County sheriff's deputies arrived at our home. A preliminary report was generated. Information was taken from two of our neighbors. Five days later my wife Kathy and I identified the pickup used in the burglary and notified the police. The driver of the pickup was a known gang member/major drug dealer driving on a revoked license. We then attended a Sheriff's Roundtable and furnished the sheriff names, addresses, phone numbers of all we suspected were involved in...
Dear Editor, No FENCE-SITTING on this one! Our Health District needs to be modernized and renovated as any business must do from time-to-time. The basic facility has been in service to the community nearly 50 years. Over that time the approach to health care has changed dramatically, from long term confinement to out-patient procedures and therapy, wherever possible. The hospital needs to reflect that change. It is the purpose of the bond levy proposal. The hospital commissioners I have talked with also make clear that each component of the...
Dear Editor, A special message to the residents of Columbia County. You have the opportunity to be a part of the election process for the position of County Commissioner. An important function of our County Commissioners is the task of providing the best services utilizing your tax dollars in the wisest manner. I feel that a candidate must listen to the community and have a strong background in finance and management to be effective in the position. Merle Jackson has over 20 years of financial and management experience with the family farm...
